The event was part public awareness campaign for China's air pollution crisis, part tourism marketing stunt for the stunning Laojun Mountain Nature Reserve, part of the Funiushan Global Geopark in Henan Province.

After collecting 2,000 cans and 40 bags of air from a cliff on Laojun Mountain, the nature reserve's management company gave them out to the citizens of Zhengzhou, one of the most polluted cities in China.

Famous throughout China for its beauty, the 2,217-meter tall Laojun Mountain is also known as the final resting place of Laozi, the founder of Taoism.

On the top of the mountain sits the Laojun Temple, surrounded by three pavilions -- Jin Dian, Liang Bao Tai and Yu Huang Ding.

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The three golden pavillions – Despite their ancient appearance, these three pavilions were built in 2013, modeled after the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

To get to the top of Laojun Mountain, travelers can take a 17-minute cable ride from She Shen Ya (the cliff on Laojun Mountain where the air bags were collected) or can walk a 10-kilometer trail.

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Where and when to capture a shot like this – "The best place to capture the view of the temple and the pavilions like this one is from Ma Zong Ridge," says Khurram Zhang, a spokesperson of Laojun Mountain Nature Reserve.

"Sunset is the best time to photograph Jin Dian (Golden Pavillion)."

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Taoist spiritual ground – The nature reserve is a combination of Taoist culture and natural beauty. The scenic area is scattered with 16 Taoist temples. Six of them have been renovated for visitors.

A Chinese ink painting? – "This picture is photographed from the peak -- very pretty but relatively more dangerous and challenging to summit," says Zhang. "It's usually the explorers and photographers who climb to the very top."

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No air pollution here – "A TV crew came to Laojun Mountain to test the air and found it unbelievably good and we had the idea of doing this to promote tourism to the area," says Zhang.

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Free fresh air – Zhengzhou was ranked 10th in a Greenpeace list of worst polluted cities in China. Citizens lined up this week for a chance to fill their lungs with air from Laojun Mountain.